Tennis: Warriors blank Panthers 9-0

Improve to 4-2 in HDN play

Del Norte High No. 1 singles seed senior Kathryn Gustafson swings at the ball during her match against McKinleyville on Saturday in Crescent City. The Warriors won all nine of their matches and improved to 4-2 overall in Humboldt-Del Norte Conference play. Del Norte Triplicate/Rick Postal

The victory improved Del Norte to 4-2 in the Humboldt-Del Norte Conference.

This week, the squad faces Eureka at home today at 4 p.m. and Arcata on the road Saturday.

“I hope my team doesn’t take this win lightly,” head coach Sara Miller said. “We need to continue to work hard this week on our physical endurance and team morale to continue to improve this season.”

In No. 1 singles play, Kathryn Gustafson downed Corina Gloor 6-1, 6-2 to remain undefeated for the year.

“Kathryn played excellent today,” Miller said. “She came out of the gates firing and (was) pumped up to take down her opponent.”

DNHS No. 2 singles player senior Sam Bausch gets ready to hit the ball during a match on Saturday against the McKinleyville Panthers in Crescent City. Del Norte Triplicate/Rick Postal

In No. 3 singles, freshman Jordan Babich won her match against Chelsea Sandige 7-5, 6-2.

In No. 4 singles, junior Taylor Cleland earned a 6-2, 6-0 victory against Abby Morgan.

“Taylor also played well in both sets and I was pleased with her movement on the court,” Miller said.

In No. 5 singles, freshman Alexis Wright earned a 6-4, 6-0 win against Stephanie Kingham. In No. 6 singles Kira Morse won against Adyn McCabe 1-6, 6-4, 6-2

In an exhibition match, Tasha Thiessen of Del Norte lost 6-2, 3-6, 2-6.

In doubles play, Miller said that they had to switch to pro sets because it started to sprinkle. This was done to make sure all the matches would be completed.

In No.1 doubles, Gustafson and Bausch earned a 6-0, 6-2 win against Gloor and Jake. In No. 2 doubles, Babich and Cleland were victorious 8-2 and Wright and Morse earnedana 8-7 (7-4) win in No. 3 doubles.